Localeur’s Guide to Black-Owned Restaurants
Whether you’re relatively new to the Black Lives Matter movement or have been involved since its founding, you’ve surely come to understand that showing up means more than attending a march or posting a black square on social media. Here at Localeur, we’re all about amplifying Black voices by not just putting ourselves to work, but by putting our dollars to work, too. This guide to supporting Black-owned restaurants may be a small step in the right direction, but we think you’ll be inspired at first bite.
Remember, #experiencelocal is just as much about embracing diverse communities as it is about dodging tourist traps. For even more recommendations on how and where to support Black-owned businesses in almost 200 cities around the world, subscribe to Localeur.
Sophomore Coffee
Baltimore, Maryland
Sophomore is quickly becoming an institution in Baltimore. Using Partner Coffee from Brooklyn, nobody in the city pours as well as owner Kris and his team. The icing on the coffee cake is that the décor here is equal parts beautiful, minimal, and unique – and friendly baristas are always ready with a smile and a warm hello, no matter how early you take your morning cuppa.
Le Petit Marché
Atlanta, Georiga
Any Atlanta local will tell you this place is a staple in the brunch scene. It’s not just hype, either; Le Petit Marché serves up delectable dishes with lovely presentation and excellent hospitality. It’s one of the few places in town that offers breakfast all day and boasts inventive, signature menu items. Be sure to try the grit stack, a large bowl of steaming hot grits topped with cheese, crumbled bacon, scrambled eggs, and shrimp, complemented by warm crisp triangles of toast on the side.
Revival
Minneapolis, Minnesota
You can safely expect this spot to be crowded, so plan to go when you won't be in a rush. And if you have to wait, rest assured that it’ll be worth it: What awaits you is a decadent and delicious Southern meal. Fried green tomatoes, perfectly cooked fried chicken, shrimp and grits, biscuits with sorghum butter that you’ll never stop craving... the list of reasons to visit to Revival go on and on.
Parkside
Brooklyn, New York
Looking for an approachable date-night spot that will quickly become your go-to? Parkside, at the southeast corner of Prospect Park, is a neighborhood favorite for its Neapolitan pizzas, versatile, unfussy wines, and inventive cocktails. They’ve done an excellent job of serving up crowd-pleasing food and drinks amid the pandemic, so while you may not be able to dine in and enjoy their usual live jazz on Tuesdays, you can certainly grab a pie and a bottle to enjoy in the park with your date.
Emmer + Rye
Austin, Texas
The best restaurant on Rainey Street, Emmer & Rye is one of those trendy establishments that could go either way: You could walk in, enchanted by the hype, and be disappointed – or you could walk in and have your expectations exceeded. We’re firmly in the latter camp. This is a great pick for date night or a special occasion; the service is excellent, the dishes are varied and shareable, and you can almost forget there are 30 bars outside the restaurant doors because the experience is so dynamic. If we haven’t convinced you how good this place is yet, the dim-sum cart will.
Ortanique
Miami, Florida
Ortanique on the Mile is culinary fixture in Miami. Located on Coral Gable’s Miracle Mile and created by local celebrity chef Cindy Hutson, the restaurant has been serving “cuisine of the sun” to a growing, loyal group of patrons since opening in 1999. Ortanique operates as a perfect place to bring parents or friends from out of town to experience a sophisticated yet casual meal that showcases tropical ingredients. Year after year, the setting, the food, and the staff deliver a quality experience.
The Saltbox
Durham, North Carolina
The Saltbox may look small and unassuming, but don’t underestimate the significance of its presence. Perhaps the most beloved spot for a locally sourced seafood lunch or dinner in Durham, the Saltbox is a must-try, and Chef Ricky Moore cooks with consistency, simplicity, and heart. From oysters to Bay scallops, rockfish, flounder, and more, the local catch is always fresh, flavorful, and sure to transport you from landlocked Durham to an Atlantic pier in seconds flat.
Central Kitchen + Bar
Detroit, Michigan
Whether you pop in for lunch, brunch, dinner, or happy hour, this industrial-chic Detroit favorite features contemporary American cuisine in a casual and welcoming environment. With recognizable bar food serving as the foundation for the menu, Central Kitchen’s executive chef has given a new spin to the classics, upgrading them with inventive taste combinations using local and seasonal ingredients. You can’t go wrong with an order of fig flatbread and a juicy, Gruyère-topped cheeseburger.
Agua 301
Washington, D.C.
Most restaurants with a view are some combination of overpriced, overcrowded, and underwhelming – which is part of what makes this Water Street eatery overlooking the Anacostia such a breath of fresh air, as it’s none of those things. Mercifully lightened-up Tex-Mex, a bevy of tequilas, and an impressively pleasant patio all await you at this contemporary classic. Get the fajitas and the Agua margarita.
Onion Creek
Houston, Texas
There are plenty of bars to choose from on White Oak, from the fratty to the grimy. Be nice to yourself and venture into Onion Creek. With one of the best patios this city has to offer, easygoing bartenders, and a menu chock-full of vegetarian and locally sourced ingredients, Onion Creek has stood the test of time. Grab a beer on the porch or curl up next to a fire pit on a winter evening with an awesome boozy coffee – just don’t miss the brisket nachos.
Gather
Boston, Massachusetts
Literally in Beantown's Innovation District, Gather is a hub for fostering creative minds and ideas. It’s a bar and restaurant that’s ideal for entrepreneurs and startup professionals to refuel as they work – or kick back for a bit after a long week. The menu is a blend of different ideas – how fitting – but be sure to try the chicken and waffle bites and the fish tacos.
Relish
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
For modern Southern cuisine, visit Relish in the heart of West Oak Lane. The atmosphere of this restaurant is for the art and jazz lovers among us, and the food is for everyone: Relish is known for their famous cornbread in a skillet and mouthwatering appetizers. Oh, and three words: shrimp deviled eggs. Relish boasts live jazz music every Thursday through Saturday, and the lineup is just as much a reason to visit as the grub.
Other Spots We Love
Water & Brood
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Tiger Bay Café
Asheville, North Carolina
Diversion
Salt Lake City, Utah
La Spiga
Seattle, Washington
King Rustic
Toronto, Canada
Jessie’s Smokin’ Nola
Denver, Colorado
Peaches Hothouse
Brooklyn, New York
8th & Roast
Nashville, Tennessee
Bistro Nolah
Montreal, Canada
Turn
St. Louis, Missouri
Frontier
Chicago, Illinois
The Larder & The Delta
Phoenix, Arizona
True Joy Cookies
Boise, Idaho
Streetcar Merchants
San Diego, California
Excelsior Coffee
San Francisco, California
The Juice
Los Angeles, California
Oregon Public House
Portland, Oregon
Beetbox
Vancouver, Canada
Court of Two Sisters
New Orleans, Louisiana
Boomtown Biscuits & Whiskey
Cincinnati, Ohio
A subscription to Localeur is about more than just travel. It’s also the key to exploring the city where you live (or even for planning the perfect staycation). Whatever your travel sights are set on, we can help get you experience local.
